God's power in this age.

[Carl Emerson]

Friends,

I have been active here for 10 years and one issue stands out from the rest.

Due to the lack of evidence of the miraculous in the church there are strong temptations to interpret scripture in such a way as to teach a season of diminished activity from the Holy Spirit.

This assumption gets so strong that any claims of God directly intervening by His Power are dismissed as fake or worse.

Teachers are happy to preach a powerless church as if 'reality' somehow trumps what we read was normal in the early church.

Returning to first Love is presented as a personal challenge rather than a word of rebuke to a Church that has ceased to function as evidence of His Kingdom on earth testifying with the signs of the Kingdom associated with The King Himself, as we see in Luke 7:22

Yet we know that Godliness without Power is an offensive denial... 2 Tim 3:5

God's Love and God's Power are inseparable.

So I had a hand in discipling a Doctor who had experienced a beautiful conversion to Jesus and was thirsty for His Word. With his wife he was eager to serve his new found Master in any was possible.

They invited my wife and I to dinner and asked about praying for their house to be blessed.

I could see that his newly filled heart was open to the Holy Spirit noted his passion to do right, so I followed his desires in this regard.

"Can I anoint the doors and windows with oil" he asked.

"Of course" I said.

So he went around the house dedicating all the entrances to Jesus putting oil on the lintels.

When he came to the back door - as he reached up with the oil - a rush of power knocked him backwards down several concrete steps.

Now he was six foot seven, no small man - totally laid out - overcome by God's presence and power.

We expected him to be seriously injured but he was just fine - basking in God's Love.

So this was nothing we did - we were witnessing God's Love and Power profoundly at work. 1Kings 8:11


Returning to first Love will see also a return of His Power.


Love you all.

 

[mourningdove~]

Your post really resonated with me this morning, as I had just finished reading Revelation 2:1-7:

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

If you feel so lead to do so in this thread, perhaps you might share your thoughts on how one might go about 'rekindling' their first love for God ...

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

It can come as a shock when we remember the overflowing love of our conversion and the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives compared to the striving for what we imagine we have lost. There is no way lack on His part. And just a turning on our part that brings us back out of self, the world and false idols on our part. Giving authority to the King to rule once again in our hearts.

Edit to add that singing His praises with the Holy Spirit is what I am recently taught to return to first love.. The Psalms contain many songs to be sung back to The Almighty God

 

[Carl Emerson]

I was wondering about moving this thread to where it might be more widely read...

Any suggestions which forum might be more appropriate ?

 

[Carl Emerson]

Your post really resonated with me this morning, as I had just finished reading Revelation 2:1-7:

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

If you feel so lead to do so in this thread, perhaps you might share your thoughts on how one might go about 'rekindling' their first love for God ...

Good thought - but remember, this was a word for the church, they needed to return to the first love recorded in the first 5 chapters of Acts.

A love to be seen by the world - caring for the least - sharing assets - celebrating His Love.

There is however a cost and that is the challenge - to build His Kingdom of love rather than putting our own affairs first in life.

Being the Good News - not just talking about it.

 

[Carl Emerson]

It can come as a shock when we remember the overflowing love of our conversion and the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives compared to the striving for what we imagine we have lost. There is no way lack on His part. And just a turning on our part that brings us back out of self, the world and false idols on our part. Giving authority to the King to rule once again in our hearts.

Edit to add that singing His praises with the Holy Spirit is what I am recently taught to return to first love.. The Psalms contain many songs to be sung back to The Almighty God

Then when you gather - folks will be busting to share about what He is doing and will do so - rather than hearing and seeing the predictable. 1 Cor 14:26

 

[Lord I Believe]

I came back to Christ on Easter and have been on fire for Jesus since that day. I do have days where I fall short but I get back up and continue to love Jesus. Many people think I’ve lost my mind but I gained Jesus in my heart.

People at work look at me different. The Lord has blessed my wife and I so much that it makes me cry tears of joy thinking about it.

Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you”.

I’ve seen miracles in my career happen. I prayed for a patient in the ICU as I was providing her with care and she suddenly got better.

I had a list of things that I prayed for and all the things on that list have been delivered by Jesus. From health healings in my family, career opportunities and the gift of life.

I also reconnected with a man who was with me when I got baptized at 17. I am 32 now and this man is now a pastor that just started a church. It’s small but it’s growing and the Holy Spirit is moving.

When we pray during Bible Study I feel the wind and the peace, love and joy of Jesus in our presence.

I read this thread back in April and tried to put it all together but now it makes more sense. I’m also working through the book of Acts with my wife!!! It’s my favorite book so far.

 

[Carl Emerson]

I came back to Christ on Easter and have been on fire for Jesus since that day. I do have days where I fall short but I get back up and continue to love Jesus. Many people think I’ve lost my mind but I gained Jesus in my heart.

People at work look at me different. The Lord has blessed my wife and I so much that it makes me cry tears of joy thinking about it.

Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you”.

I’ve seen miracles in my career happen. I prayed for a patient in the ICU as I was providing her with care and she suddenly got better.

I had a list of things that I prayed for and all the things on that list have been delivered by Jesus. From health healings in my family, career opportunities and the gift of life.

I also reconnected with a man who was with me when I got baptized at 17. I am 32 now and this man is now a pastor that just started a church. It’s small but it’s growing and the Holy Spirit is moving.

When we pray during Bible Study I feel the wind and the peace, love and joy of Jesus in our presence.

I read this thread back in April and tried to put it all together but now it makes more sense. I’m also working through the book of Acts with my wife!!! It’s my favorite book so far.

This is a beautiful testimony - This is what walking in The Way is all about. Thanks so much for sharing.

 

[Lord I Believe]

This is a beautiful testimony - This is what walking in The Way is all about. Thanks so much for sharing.

Thank you Mr. Emerson. Your other threads about how Jesus healed and made miracles happen today really encouraged me as well.

I love hearing stories of how Jesus heals and works in miraculous ways TODAY.

Miracles happen today.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Good post.

It's a fine line because the devil makes himself an angel of light and one of the first warnings Jesus gave of His return is not to be deceived.

Matthew 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

Jesus also warns us about seeking signs

Mat 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.

God's Word is our most powerful tool against the evil one.

Psa 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.''

we just need to make sure whatever signs out there are in harmony with God's Word.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Good post.

It's a fine line because the devil makes himself an angel of light and one of the first warnings Jesus gave of His return is not to be deceived.

Matthew 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

Jesus also warns us about seeking signs

Mat 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.

God's Word is our most powerful tool against the evil one.

Psa 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.''

we just need to make sure whatever signs out there are in harmony with God's Word.

Yes - looking back on the Welsh revival it was noted that some adherents operated in false gifts - intertwined with the genuine, and managed to bring confusion. This was not seen at the time but realised in retrospect.

 

[Lord I Believe]

Hello my brothers in Christ,

One verse that I have been focusing on is from Acts 2:19:
“I will cause wonders in the heavens above and SIGNS on the earth below…”

Now, me and my wife were driving home from work and were listening to a church service on our commute home and really worshipping and praising Jesus in the car on the way home. As we look in front of us a car drives by with a cross sticker on it and it made us worship and praise even harder because we saw this sign.

Another time I was down and really praying and saw sunshine come into my room from my window and it appeared to be a sign of a cross between the sun and the shadow on the wall and I became so happy.

Yesterday, I sent this scripture about signs in Acts 2:19 to one of my brothers in Christ to encourage him to fellowship to a Muslim man in another country who was going through a tough time. Then later in the day I had to go to ER with my wife and I was praying a lot. Once I arrived to ER the lady at the front desk had a cross. She wasn’t very nice but I felt peace of God in my heart and mind and knew it was going to be all good. Oh and the doctor’s report came back good for us

Just wanted to share this with my brother in Christ. I know we must test all signs and spirits but I truly believe Jesus gives us signs on Earth below.

 

[Lord I Believe]

My apologies for the typing mistakes.

It’s hard for me to type on my phone sometimes.

 

[Carl Emerson]

My apologies for the typing mistakes.

It’s hard for me to type on my phone sometimes.

No problem...

Yes He does somehow arrange confirming signs in our personal lives.

He is closer than a brother !!! - watching out for us, and brining encouragement in the small things.

 

[mourningdove~]

Returning to first Love will see also a return of His Power.

And we are going to need His Presence and His Power to endure the things to come, and to accomplish the things He has purposed for us to do ...

 

[Carl Emerson]

And we are going to need His Presence and His Power to endure the things to come, and to accomplish the things He has purposed for us to do ...

Is this a quote from somewhere ?

 

[mourningdove~]

Is this a quote from somewhere ?

No. Was just a thought I felt lead to share.

 

[CoreyD]

Friends,

I have been active here for 10 years and one issue stands out from the rest.

Due to the lack of evidence of the miraculous in the church there are strong temptations to interpret scripture in such a way as to teach a season of diminished activity from the Holy Spirit.

This assumption gets so strong that any claims of God directly intervening by His Power are dismissed as fake or worse.

Teachers are happy to preach a powerless church as if 'reality' somehow trumps what we read was normal in the early church.

Returning to first Love is presented as a personal challenge rather than a word of rebuke to a Church that has ceased to function as evidence of His Kingdom on earth testifying with the signs of the Kingdom associated with The King Himself, as we see in Luke 7:22

Yet we know that Godliness without Power is an offensive denial... 2 Tim 3:5

God's Love and God's Power are inseparable.

So I had a hand in discipling a Doctor who had experienced a beautiful conversion to Jesus and was thirsty for His Word. With his wife he was eager to serve his new found Master in any was possible.

They invited my wife and I to dinner and asked about praying for their house to be blessed.

I could see that his newly filled heart was open to the Holy Spirit noted his passion to do right, so I followed his desires in this regard.

"Can I anoint the doors and windows with oil" he asked.

"Of course" I said.

So he went around the house dedicating all the entrances to Jesus putting oil on the lintels.

When he came to the back door - as he reached up with the oil - a rush of power knocked him backwards down several concrete steps.

Now he was six foot seven, no small man - totally laid out - overcome by God's presence and power.

We expected him to be seriously injured but he was just fine - basking in God's Love.

So this was nothing we did - we were witnessing God's Love and Power profoundly at work. 1Kings 8:11


Returning to first Love will see also a return of His Power.


Love you all.

When I read what the Bible says about the first century church, the power of holy spirit doesn't knock one off their feet, but rather, it keeps one on their feet, blazing the trail. like their master Jesus. Acts 1:8; Acts 4:31; Acts 5:28, 29, 41, 42; Romans 10:13-15

The power that knocks people off their feet, isn't a good one. Mark 9:18; Luke 9:42
I think that doctor should be careful.

 

[Carl Emerson]

When I read what the Bible says about the first century church, the power of holy spirit doesn't knock one off their feet, but rather, it keeps one on their feet, blazing the trail. like their master Jesus. Acts 1:8; Acts 4:31; Acts 5:28, 29, 41, 42; Romans 10:13-15

The power that knocks people off their feet, isn't a good one. Mark 9:18; Luke 9:42
I think that doctor should be careful.

1 Kings 8:10-12​

10 It happened that when the priests came from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

John 18
4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and *said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He *said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

 

[CoreyD]

1 Kings 8:10-12​

10 It happened that when the priests came from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

Surely, you don't think bowing down to God, is being knocked off your feet... especially nowhere similar to being knocked backwards down several concrete steps.

John 18
4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and *said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He *said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

You are not quoting that scripture to say when unbelievers tremble in fear, and fall down, the holy spirit would have done that, are you?

"They drew back and fell to the ground". The men were so terrified, some probably wet their pants, out of fear. The Bible does not say the holy spirit knocked them off their feet.

I read you though, so I'll leave you to it, Carl. Enjoy.